Carry On Chemo
Today, a historic event: The Queen being put to rest. A long life of public service. We would have queued to pay our respects if we lived in London. Instead, I will watch some more of the Pomp and Ceremony from the luxury of my Sydney pad and toast her with a weak G&T.
Sarah has also returned to Arrowtown today for 1 month to move into our pad at 10 Suffolk Street. Please say hello if you see her as she is home alone. We bought a pasta machine. Guess what i'm having for dinner tonight.
I wanted to come to NZ too, but when I suggested it to the Haematology nurse i/c of the stem cell unit, she had a minor melt down and banned me from flying as I have a weak immune system. She started telling me horror stories. I was sufficiently scared to comply. Sadly, I’m grounded.
Despite the no fly rule, it has been a whirlwind few weeks.
We have packed in as much as we can of what Sydney has to offer in terms of theatre, musicals, concerts, wine tasting, sculpture exhibitions. art exhibitions, multiple delicious dinners in and out. Favourite Degustation at Charred. Steak with picked peppercorns was superb.
Cultural stand outs have been:
Phantom of the opera – Sydney Opera House.Last time I saw this was in London in the summer of 1987 with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. Sarah had never seen it before. The opera house has a new impressive sound system.
Harold Gretton- Spanish guitar concert in Orange. 90 minutes of one man and his guitar. Understated man, brilliant performance.
A Raisin in the sun. Walsh Bay. Play about racisim in 1959 in South US. Gripping and shocking.
Opera in the Park – One hour of Operatic songs with a picnic with Bev and Simon.
Very jolly and it despite threatening weather, it did not rain.
The Soprano - Samuel Marino and the Brandenburg Baroque orchestra. Paul Dyer conducting Vivaldi, Handel Gluck, Porpora, plus a 28yr old Venezuelan, Voice is higher than a counter tenor. One to watch. Making his Glyndebourne debut in Semele next year.
Warwick Fuller Sep 2022 in Lost Bear Gallery Katoomba
Sculpture exhibition in Wollombi, NSW – 2 hours from Sydney.
Young wildlife photographer of the year
Wine tasting for 3 days in Orange NSW (4 hours from Sydney). We will have to start an Australian cellar as wine is drunk far too young here. Spring flowers out in force in Millthorpe.
Found a fabulous Gelateria:.Riverino in Barangaroo.
Meanwhile I’ve started chemo cycle 4. Apart from sleep deprivation, fluid retention causing swelling in legs, arms, weight gain of 5kg, causing “moon face” and a bruised buddha belly; constant metallic taste in the mouth and mood swings, life continues as “normal”
My aim has been to walk over 10,000 steps a day (6km) and with Sarah’s help I’ve smashed that target most days (except Mondays after chemo injections when I feel particularly sh@te; as I write this.) I can walk, but I am too weak to play golf now.
Some days I walk so slowly I have to find somewhere to sit down. I did this walking on the cliff top path in Blackheath. You tend to notice a lot more when you sit, listen and watch, instead of rushing from A to B and back again. Nature creates its own sculptures.
Sarah will be back to Sydney in time to care for me during my hospitalisation and stem cell transfer. This is tentatively planned in mid October. The whole process will be gruelling; involve 2 -3 weeks in hospital (some in IC due to being so weak). My job now is to stay strong and just get through it to the next remission.
Better get on with that. Thanks for all the messages of support. Much appreciated.
Love and hugs
Jo
xxx
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